Nerium.] LIV. APOCYNE^E. 329 



tan. Ascends to 5500 ft. in the outer Himalaya. Generally along the sides of 

 rocky stream-beds or in ravines and river-beds which are dry in winter. Culti- 

 vated in gardens throughout India, with single and double flowers. Fl. April- 

 June, often nearly throughout the year. Bark and root are poisonous ; the 

 leaves are used in native medicine (Pharm. Ind. 139). 



N. Oleander, Linn., a common shrub in the Mediterranean region and Syria, 

 grows abundantly in similar localities, and under similar conditions, with this 

 difference, that round the Mediterranean the ravines are filled by the winter 

 rains, and are dry in summer. The flowers are inodorous, the segments of the 

 corolla appendices are short, irregular, and not linear or filiform, and the fruit 

 is only 3-6 in. long. The shape of the corolla varies, and does not afford reliable 

 distinctive characters. Other differences I am unable to indicate. Linngeus 

 united them under N. Oleander. 1 am inclined to think that there are interme- 

 diate forms, and that the Indian shrub will eventually be replaced under that 

 species. 



Oeder LV. ASCLEPIADEiE. 



Perennial herbs or shrubs, often climbing, with opposite entire leaves, 

 and regular pentamerous flowers. Calyx free, divided nearly or quite to 

 the base into 5 segments or sepals, imbricate in bud. Corolla-tube gener- 

 ally short, the lobes contorted or valvate in bud. Stamens 5, inserted at 

 the base of the corolla, and alternating with the corolla-lobes, the filaments 

 short, connate or rarely free, the anthers always connate into a tube, enclos- 

 ing the style, and the connective more or less prolonged. A corona of 

 variously shaped distinct or connate appendages alternating with the cor- 

 olla-lobes is usually inserted upon the corolla- tube, or upon the back of 

 the filaments or wanting. Stamens 5, alternating with the corolla-lobes, 

 inserted at the base of its tube ; filaments usually connate, anthers 2- 

 rarely 4-celled ; pollen granular or usually cohering in masses, the masses 

 pendulous erect or horizontal, sessile or stipitate, united in pairs to the 

 stigma. Pistil dicarpellary \ carpels distinct below; ovules attached to the 

 inner angle ; styles united above the ovaries, and thickened within the 

 staminal-tube into an angular body. Fruit of 2 follicles, or of 1 only, by 

 the abortion of the second carpel. Seeds usually pendulous, with a long 

 silky tuft of hairs at the hilum ; albumen thin, embryo straight, cotyle- 

 dons foliaceous, radicle short, superior. Eoyle 111. 272 ; "Wight 111. ii. 

 164. 



Filaments free ; appendages of corona short, fleshy, not aristate 1. Cryptolepls. 

 Filaments free ; appendages of corona long-aristate ... 2. Periploca. 

 Filaments connate in a staminal tube ; pollen-masses 10, stipi- 

 tate. 

 Appendages of corona laterally compressed ; follicles broad, 



semiovate .3. Calotropis. 



Appendages of corona flat ; flowers in axillary cymes . . 4. Marsdenia. 



Appendages of corona flat ; flowers in interpetiolar cymes . 5. Pergularia. 

 Appendages of corona wanting ; a leafless shrub . .6. Orthanthera. 



1. CRYPTOLEPIS, E. Brown. 



Corolla-lobes linear, contorted in bud, longer than the tube. Corona of 

 5 fleshy oblong obtuse appendages included within the tube. Stamens 



